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Founder guitarist and songwriter for the 70's r & b band Dr Feelgood, Wilko Johnson's manic performances and choppy rhythm/lead style became their distinguishing trademark. Four groundbreaking albums, Down By The Jetty, Malpractice, Stupidity (a UK no. 1 chart topper) and Sneakin' Suspicion, put Wilko and the Feelgoods firmly on the rock landscape from 1974 to 1977. In the era of turgid progressive and fey glam-rock, their high energy dirty R & B and be-suited appearance was a mini revolution, bringing rock 'n' roll back to the roots and giving inspiration to both the UK and US fledgling punk scenes. Splitting from the Feelgoods, Wilko formed the Solid Senders and signed to Virgin for eponymous album. Then under his own name he released further albums, including Ice on the Motorway, Barbed Wire Blues and Going Back Home, and finding alive audience particularly in Europe and Japan for his frantic, exciting gigs. Teaming up with Ian Dury and the Blockheads for their Laughter album led Wilko to regular guest appearance with them over the years, and the association with the group also brought a partnership with Norman Watt-Roy. The much-revered bassist (also known for his sessions with Frankie Goes To Hollywood and the Clash) has been Wilko's foil for the past sixteen years, providing a solid, providing a solid foundation for Wilko to scatter his wild guitar tricks over. Completing the 3-piece is former Blockheads drummer Monti, recently replacing the long serving Salvatore Ramundo. 'Back in the Night' is the first Wilko Johnson retrospective, compiling recorded highlights from the past 22 years, including previously unreleased studio sessions from 2002 and 1988. Amongst the 17 tracks are four of Wilko's songs made familiar in Doctor Feelgood days: Days In The Night, Roxetts, She Does It Right and Sneakin' Suspicion. The CD comes together with a 12 page booklet with notes by Time Out journalist Jim Driver. Wilko continues to play live in 2002. He recently played the London Borderline, plus has gigs scheduled in Widnes, York, Sheffield, Leeds, Wirral, Chester, Derby, From, Bognor, in London at New Cross and Walthamstow, in Europe, Paris and Basel... so make sure you catch Wilko live! |